23:00 Jan 10 (Singapore), 2005
Reached Aquas Callientas 4,200m, which means "hot water". I have been
following the river as I make my way up to the mountains. It stormed last
night for about 6 hours. The winds were strong as I tried to sleep in my tent.
The mule stays outside!! The storm has dumped loads of snow on the mountains
but now that the sun's out, I think a lot of it is drying up. The river that I
am following has it's source below ground. Even at this altitude, the water is
warm and is crystal clear. All around, next to the river, I see lots of life.
Wild animals (guanacos), birds chirping and green plants grow profusely. Just
200m away is dry arid desert. The mountains here are beautiful and needs
further exploration. Climbing solo is a challenge. It requires a lot more
mental discipline. Pitching the tent, boiling water and cooking a meal adds to
a deep sense of self-sufficiency. Tomorrow, I will make my way to Aquas
Vicunas 4,900m where I understand, is bone dry! Healthwise, I feel OK.
Acclimatising well at this gradual pace of climbing. For now, the warm waters
of the river is calling. Time for a good soak.... Dave

21:30 Jan 9 (Singapore), 2005
Plodding behind a mule is not much fun. Am on the way to basecamp. Left Gran
Cazadero (3600m) just a while ago. The mule comes with a driver! He and his
brown dog will be with me for the day before they turn back to return to their
village. Earlier, the nice doggie caught a small guanaco (small illama like
creature). The driver and the dog ate it. No meat for me... sniff. The next
two days, will just be me and the mule, with loads on our backs. Not much of a
difference between us there. Weather looks great, blue skies today after
yesterday's rain. There is a lot of motivation to keep moving, the minute I
stop, hordes of blood sucking flies descent on me. Ouch!!@#!!
I estimate that at the rate I am moving, I should reach basecamp by Wednesday.
Dave

Jan 8 (Singapore), 2005
Starting my trek... just got me my mule and it rained!! Understood from
the locals that it rains about 3 times in a year. Just my lucky day.
Walking to basecamp with a damp mule is an adventure. Smells! Am in a
valley right now and communications is a bit unreliable. For now...
Dave

In January
2005, veteran mountaineer, Everest expedition leader, and
corporate motivator
David Lim will make a solo expedition to climb the remote peak of Ojos Del
Salado in Argentina.

At 6882m, " Ojos" is the
world's highest volcano, and the 2nd highest peak in the Americas. Ojos is
located in the driest desert on this planet, the Atacama Desert, and lies on
the Chilean-Argentinian border. The expedition will be from Jan 4 - 28

The expedition╣s aims include
demonstrating that being disabled does not necessarily mean unable. And if
successful, this will be the first time this peak is soloed by any Asian
mountaineer.

David has been partially
disabled since 1998 from Guillain-Barre Syndrome and has paralysis below the
right knee and left leg.

No climber from Singapore has
ever attempted a solo expedition of a major mountaineering objective. In an
age where the challenge of adventure has been lessened by all kinds of
expedition aids such as support vessels, aircraft, air-drops of supplies,
porters, professional guides, the Ojos Del Salado 2005 climb will be a move
back to the essence of climbing: self-sufficiency, uncertainty of outcomes,
and calculated risk-taking

Dave Lim,
Everest Climber, author and
motivational speaker. To book David e-mail